The Essenes--the most prominent of the early Syrian sects--were an order of pious men and women who lived lives of asceticism, spending their days in simple labor and their evenings in prayer. Josephus, the great Jewish historian, speaks of them in the highest terms. "They teach the immortality of the soul," he says, "and esteem that the rewards of righteousness are to be earnestly striven for." In another place he adds, "Yet is their course of life better than that of other men and they entirely addict themselves to husbandry. " The name Essenes is supposed to be derived from an ancient Syrian word meaning "physician," and these kindly folk are believed to have held as their purpose of existence the healing of the sick in mind, soul, and body. According to Edouard Schuré, they had two principal communities, or centers, one in Egypt on the banks of Lake Maoris, the other in Palestine at Engaddi, near the Dead Sea. Some authorities trace the Essenes back to the schools of Samuel the Prophet, but most agree on either an Egyptian or Oriental origin. Their methods of prayer, meditation, and fasting were not unlike those of the holy men of the Far East. Membership in the Essene Order was possible only after a year of probation. This Mystery school, like so many others, had three degrees, and only a few candidates passed successfully through all. The Essenes were divided into two distinct communities, one consisting of celibates and the other of members who were married.

Such, according to David, "rest in the holy hill of God," in the Church far on high, in which are gathered the philosophers of God, "who are...

They also conceived generally, that labor should be employed about disciplines and studies, and that they should be severely exercised in trials of th...

Who, since they came into being, longed not after earthly food, but regarded everything as a passing breath, and lived accordingly, and the Lord...

This deific and anagogic path Hermes, indeed, narrated, but Bitys, the prophet of King Ammon, explained it, having found it in the adyta of Saïs in...

From old Egypt have come the fundamental esoteric and occult teachings which have so strongly influenced the philosophies of all races, nations and...

These things show that that wisdom can be acquired through instruction, to which Abraham attained, passing from the contemplation of heavenly things...

From the most ancient times till to-day, this is not empty talk, but the sequence of the Great Meaning in the real method of producing an eternally...

There is no portion of the occult teachings possessed by the world which have been so closely guarded as the fragments of the Hermetic Teachings...

Triopas was a contemporary of Isis, in the seventh generation from Inachus. And Isis, who is the same as Io, is so called, it is said, from her going ...

In ancient Egypt dwelt the great Adepts and Masters who have never been surpassed, and who seldom have been equaled, during the centuries that have...

And having learnt with the greatest solicitude every particular, he did not neglect to hear of any transaction that was celebrated in his own time, or...

Through them the worst calumny has become current against the Christian name. This fellow Epiphanes, whose writings I have at hand, was a son of Carpo...

Of those, too, who at one time lived as men among the Egyptians, but were constituted gods by human opinion, were Hermes the Theban, and Asclepius of...

Worship of the gods, of the twice-born, of teachers, and of the wise; cleanliness, uprightness, continence, and non-violence— these are said to be...

It is likewise said, that these men expelled lamentations and tears, and every thing else of this kind. They also abstained from entreaty, from...

And Isaac waxed strong among the Philistines, and he got many possessions, oxen and sheep and camels and asses and a great household.

We shall, therefore, deliver to you the peculiar dogmas of the Assyrians; and also clearly develop to you our own opinions; collecting some things...

These are only the principal tribes, the branches of the people which we mention; only of the principal ones shall we speak. Many others came from...

Seeing then that Adam and Eve had yielded themselves to the Spirit of this World, and lived in two [Kingdoms,] viz. in the holy Element before God;...

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning (if...